OPEN AT LAST – Mack-Cali Realty Corporation celebrated the grand opening on May 4 of the Lutze Biergarten, Jersey City’s first outdoor biergarten, along the Hudson River waterfront. The new biergarten is adjacent to Harborside, the company’s premier, mixed-use asset in Jersey City. Pictured here are Mack-Cali Chief Executive Officer Michael J. DeMarco (left), Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop (center), and Jersey City Council President Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr. (right).

On Thursday, May 4 at approximately 2:20 a.m., Jersey City police were dispatched to the area of Bright St. in Jersey City on a report of two individuals down on the ground at that location.

According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, arriving officers found Tyquan Thomas, 29, and Ashley Bradby, 23, on the sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds. They were both pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 2:30 a.m. According to the preliminary investigation, Bradby and Thomas, who had a dating relationship, were involved in a domestic dispute in a nearby residence that eventually carried out into the street.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Thomas shot Bradby and then turned the gun on himself, the prosecutor said. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

The Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case with the assistance of the Jersey City Police Department.

Man allegedly dumped woman’s body over weekend

Miguel Angel Cabrera Romero, 56, of 82 Reservoir Ave., has been charged with murder after he allegedly left the body of a 51-year-old woman wrapped in a blanket on the sidewalk near his house on April 29. It is believed they had a previous dating relationship, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

Suarez said Jersey City police officers were dispatched to Reservoir Avenue at about 8:20 a.m. on April 29 on a report of a suspicious object on the sidewalk. Arriving officers found the body of Albanelis Vidal De Larosa, 51, of Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, wrapped in blankets and left on the sidewalk. She was pronounced dead at approximately 10 a.m.

On April 30, during the afternoon hours, detectives from the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit arrested Romero. He was charged with murder.

Investigators believe Romero allegedly killed the victim in his residence at 82 Reservoir Ave., wrapped the body in blankets, and carried the body out. The exact cause of death is pending final findings of the Medical Examiner.

In an unrelated incident, Amir Pleasant, 20, of Jersey City, was pronounced dead as a result of gunshot wounds after he attempted to drive himself to the hospital.

Suarez said that on Saturday, April 29 at approximately 4:55 a.m., Jersey City police officers were dispatched to the area of 15 Dwight St. in Jersey City on a report of shots fired and a vehicle leaving the scene. A short while later, the vehicle was located crashed at the intersection of Grand Street and Jersey Avenue. Pleasant was found in the vehicle and was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 5:30 a.m. Investigators believe Pleasant was shot on Dwight Street and drove himself to Grand Street and Jersey Avenue.

The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the upper torso and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit is investigating the case. No arrests have been made so far. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at (201) 915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the website of the prosecutor at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

K-9 unit expanded for Sheriff’s Office

The Hudson County Board of Freeholders last week approved the purchase of four adult dogs for the sheriff’s office through funds obtained from a New Jersey State Homeland Security grant totaling $28,000.

The County Office of Emergency Management will purchase four adult dogs to be used by the sheriff’s office and will be crossed trained for explosive detection and patrol apprehension.

These canine teams will also be required to participate in the New Jersey State Render Safe Task Force.

Jersey City Housing Authority to open Section 8 voucher program

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Housing Authority have announced the opening of the application process for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and Project Based Assistance Program, which will begin the third week in May. This is the first time the federally-funded voucher program has been open for new applicants in 15 years, and the first time in the city’s history that the application process will be conducted through an online lottery.

“This is yet another way in which we are working to make affordable housing accessible to our residents,” said Mayor Fulop. “The Section 8 Voucher Program is one that many residents want to be a part of and now that the process is opening and modernizing with an online lottery, we are hopeful to see more people benefit and find quality, affordable housing throughout the city.”

The Housing Authority last opened the Section 8 Waiting List in 2002, and received over 12,000 applications for the federally-funded program. It took 15 years for the JCHA to exhaust that list. Applications for the new Section 8 housing list will be accepted online at www.jchawaitinglistapp.com from May 15 to May 19.

Successfully submitted applications will be enter into a computerized selection process and a third-party vendor will then perform the lottery selection. Applicants will be notified of their status within four to eight weeks after the application period is closed. No paper applications will be accepted, and only one application per person is allowed.

Applicants in need of assistance in completing the electronic applications and computer access can visit any local library. The Jersey City library website is at http://www.jclibrary.org. Anyone with special needs can call (201) 706-4699 for application assistance.

Free health fair and breast exams for those who qualify

There will be a health and wellness fair on May 13 at the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School at 509 Bramhall Ave. (corner of Ocean and Bramhall), Jersey City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be many vendors and free clinical breast exams for both uninsured and under insured women who meet the age and financial requirements. For additional information regarding age and financial limitations or to sign up for the screening, please call Mildred Garcia at 848-200-9205.

St. John’s Lutheran Church holds fundraising events for food pantry

A Junk Box Car Show to help support St. John’s Food Pantry will be held on May 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. John’s parking lot at the corner of North Street and Summit Avenue.

There will be food and music. For more information call (201) 798-0540.

St. John’s will also hold a tricky tray on May 12 starting at 6 p.m.

St. John’s Lutheran Church is located at 155 North St. in Jersey City. The event will be held in the gymnasium. Admission is $5. There will be a lot of prizes and refreshments will be available. Parking is available in the lot located on Summit Avenue, next to the church